In 2019 Alec Bradley launched its Experimental Series line and its first cigar known as the Alec Bradley Project 40. It would be a change of pace cigar for a couple of reasons. First, it would become the first Alec Bradley Cigar to come out of Jesus Fuego’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. Fuego is […]
Cigar Review: E.P. Carrillo Pledge Prequel
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 91-93, Box Worthy Consideration, EP Carrillo, EPC, Review
The E.P. Carrillo Pledge is the third installment in E.P. Carrillo’s Perez-Carrillo Series (also called the Family Series). The Perez-Carrillo Series is probably the collection of cigars in the E.P. Carrillo portfolio that has garnered the most acclaim. The first installment was the La Historia. Released in 2014, this is a blend highlighted by a […]
Cigar Review: Protocol Paddy Wagon (Toro)
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 88-90, Box Worthy Consideration, Cubariqueño Cigar Company, Protocol, Review
Over the past four years, Protocol Cigars has released quite a few single-store exclusive and event-only cigars. However, when it came to the Protocol Paddy Wagon, an exclusive cigar to Caravan Cigar Company in Bath, Pennsylvania, this would be a very different project compared to the others. While the other limited cigars were one-and-done releases, […]
Cigar Review: 601 La Bomba Warhead VI by Espinosa Cigars
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 601, 91-93, Box Worthy Consideration, Espinosa, Review
The 601 La Bomba Warhead Series is a near-annual limited cigar offered by Espinosa Cigars. Warhead is an extension of the original 601 La Bomba line, but it replaces the Nicaraguan Habano wrapper with a Broadleaf wrapper. As the name Warhead indicates, this is intended to be a stronger and bolder cigar. Each installment of […]
Agile Cigar Review: Crux Epicure Maduro Corona Gorda
William Cooper Agile Cigar Reviews, Reviews No Comments 91-93, Agile Cigar Review, Assessment Update, Box Worthy Consideration, Crux Cigar Company
Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we […]
Agile Cigar Review: Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Décadas Fundador
William Cooper Agile Cigar Reviews, Reviews No Comments 91-93, Agile Cigar Review, Assessment Update, Box Worthy Consideration, Joya de Nicaragua
Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we […]
Cigar Review: Stallone Negro Maduro Toro
William Cooper Reviews 1 Comment 88-90, Box Worthy Consideration, Review, Stallone Cigars
Since the U.S. Food and Drug Regulations Deeming Rule was promulgated back in 2016, it has had an effect on newer companies entering the cigar industry. In particular, this has also reduced the amount of first time companies exhibiting at the IPCPR/PCA Trade Show, and has reduced the amount of large-scale debuts at this Trade […]
Agile Cigar Review: Absolution
William Cooper Agile Cigar Reviews, Reviews 2 Comments 88-90, Agile Cigar Review, Box Worthy Consideration, Oveja Negra Brands
Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are rescoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we […]
Cigar Review: Micallef A
William Cooper Reviews 2 Comments 91-93, Box Worthy Consideration, Micallef Cigars, Review
Over the past ten years, I have covered the cigar industry, I have seen various cigar companies launch ambassador programs. Ambassador programs target consumers who can act as influencers for a brand or product. Ambassadors are typically not paid, but given incentives through other mechanisms. Quite frankly, when it comes to the cigar industry, most […]
Cigar Review: Romeo y Julieta Reserva Real Nicaragua Toro
William Cooper Reviews No Comments 91-93, Altadis, Box Worthy Consideration, Reviews, Romeo y Julieta, Tabacalera USA
While 2020 was a busy year for Altadis USA, there was one item that flew under the radar. 2020 would mark the 145th anniversary of the Romeo y Julieta brand. While Romeo y Julieta’s milestone might not have gotten a lot of attention, it was sandwiched between the 175th anniversary of H. Upmann and the […]